CFP | IT&P | Coding society. Programmatic encounters between information systems and social theory

Special Issue of Information Technology & People (Emerald) on Coding society. Programmatic encounters between information systems and social theory Guest Editors: Steffen Roth, Excelia Business School, France; University of Cambridge, United Kingdom Tilia Stingl de Vasconcelos Guedes, Vienna University of Applied Sciences for Management and Communication, Austria; Next Society Institute, Kazimieras Simonavičius University, Lithuania Kresimir Zazar, […]

Release | Big data insights into social macro trends: Expanding the horizon (1800-2018)

Abstract: This article examines how big data can inform and challenge established theories and future visions of society. Utilising the most recent version of the arguably largest free online corpus, the Google Books corpus (version 20200217), we replicate and enhance Roth et al.’s (2019a) systems-theoretical methodology for analysing macro social trends. Thus extending the sample […]

CFP | Luhmann Conference 2025 in Cambridge

Call for papers to the Luhmann Conference 2025 Topic: Programmes. Observed with social systems theory Venue: University of Cambridge, United Kingdom Submission deadline (abstracts): 15 May 2025Conference dates: 09-12 September 2025Pre-conference dinner: 08 September 2025 Supported by the Next Society Institute at Kazimieras Simonavicius University, European Sociological Association and the Inter-University Centre Dubrovnik. To download this Call for Papers, please click […]

Release | Guiding distinctions of social theory: results from two online brainstormings and one quantitative analysis of the ISA Books of the XX Century corpus

Abstract: In this paper, we report on the results of two online brainstormings that have collected over 480 and over 219 guiding distinctions of social theory, respectively. We draw on the results of these brainstormings as well as on a quantitative analysis of the Top 100 sociological groundworks as listed in the ISA Books of the XX […]

Release | The matrix reloaded. A revised framework for the inference of the four basic forms of social differentiation

Abstract: This paper revisits and refines Niklas Luhmann’s framework for understanding social differentiation, addressing unresolved ambiguities in his original theory. Luhmann’s approach, which initially identified three core forms of social differentiation—segmentation, stratification, and functional differentiation—expanded to include a fourth form, centralization. By critically examining the theoretical underpinnings and limitations of Luhmann’s distinctions, this study shows […]

Release | Family businesses and business families in cultural context: interdisciplinary updates for family business research

Abstract: This article shows that business family and family business research is dominated by reductionist and biased concepts of culture that are in sharp contrast with recent advances in anthropology and the broader social sciences that would allow for more fine-grained analyses. Through an inbound theorizing approach, state-of-the-art anthropological and sociological concepts of culture are […]

Online Brainstorming | Guiding distinctions of social science

What dichotomies, dualisms, and distinctions have shaped our fields? Launched by the Next Society Institute, the International Social Theory Consortium, and the Luhmann Conference community, this brainstorming is supported by the European Sociological Association and linked to two dedicated special issues: There is also a related call for abstracts to the Luhmann Conference 2024 in […]

Release | Special Issue | Scientific communication. Observed with social systems theory

Special Luhmann Conference 2022 Issue of Systemic Practice and Action Research (Vol. 37 No. 3) on Scientific communication. Observed with social systems theory Edited by Steffen Roth, Kresimir Zazar, Lars Clausen, and Tilia Stingl de Vasconcelos Guedes Introduction Steffen Roth, Kresimir Zazar, Tilia Stingl de Vasconcelos Guedes, and Lars Clausen: Scientific communication observed with social […]

CFA | Special Issue | Guiding distinctions of social theory. Analogue guidelines or digital transformers?

Call for abstracts and papers Special issue of Current Sociology (Current Sociology Monograph series) Guiding distinctions of social theory. Analogue guidelines or digital transformers? Proponents Click here to download this CFA as PDF. Theme The concept of “guiding distinctions” refers to distinctions – such as economy/society, bourgeoisie/proletariat, community/society, nature/culture, system/environment, structure/agency, north/south, black/white, male/female, or, most recently, analogue/digital […]